| Related Documents |
| U-M Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP) Hazardous Work in Laboratories Standard The U-M Biosafety Manual U-M Exposure Control Plan (ECP) |
9.1 Laboratory Safety and Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP) #
The U-M Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP) establishes a written program in accordance with the requirements of the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Act (MIOSHA) Part 431 Hazardous Work in Laboratories Standard R 325-70100. The CHP is available on the EHS website. The plan is reviewed annually by the University of Michigan Chemical Hygiene Officer (CHO) and updated as necessary.
The intent of the CHP is to protect University of Michigan employees and all personnel working in U-M laboratories from hazardous chemicals and promote a healthy and safe work environment. The CHP includes information to ensure that all laboratory personnel have working knowledge about the hazardous chemicals they use. The CHP is also intended to provide information on best practices in laboratory health and safety.
This document is supported by the University of Michigan Academic Laboratory and Research Safety Policy issued jointly by Environment, Health & Safety (EHS) and the Office of Research Ethics & Compliance (UMOR), in accordance with SPG 605.01 Safety, Health & Environmental Policy, with direction and endorsement by the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer (EVP/CFO) and the Vice President for Research (VPR). The full policy document is located on the Research Ethics & Compliance website.
The U-M CHP applies to all research, teaching, student and other laboratories at the University of Michigan covered by the Hazardous Work in Laboratories Standard. The standard applies to all facilities where the “laboratory use of hazardous chemicals” occurs. A “hazardous chemical” is defined as a chemical for which there is evidence that acute or chronic health effects may occur in exposed personnel. “Laboratory use of hazardous chemicals” is defined as handling or use of such chemicals in which all of the following conditions are met:
A. Chemical manipulations are carried out on a “laboratory scale”, or work with substances in which the containers used are designed to be easily and safely manipulated by one person;
B. Multiple chemical procedures or chemicals are used;
C. The procedures involved are not part of a production process, nor in any way simulate a production process;
D. “Protective laboratory equipment” is available and in common use to minimize the potential for exposure to hazardous chemicals.
This CHP does not address in detail work with radioactive materials, biological agents or blood borne pathogens. Procedures for work with these materials are addressed via the University’s Radiation Safety Service website, Biosafety Manual, and Exposure Control Plan respectively.
9.2 Biosafety Manual #
The U-M Biosafety Manual is a resource for information, guidance, policies, and procedures that will encourage safe research and eliminate, or reduce, the potential for exposure to biohazards. The information presented also reflects the requirements and recommendations of federal and state regulations.
The U-M Biosafety Manual is applicable to all laboratory, research, teaching, and support activities that may involve biohazards. Biohazards are microorganisms, microbial toxins, or other biological agents that can infect or cause disease in humans, animals, or plants. Biohazards may include bacteria, biological toxins, viruses, fungi, rickettsia, prions, protozoans, parasites, genetically modified organisms, and recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules. In addition, biohazards include human blood, body fluid, tissues, and cell lines of human origin and certain animal-derived tissues, fluids, and cells.
The U-M Biosafety Manual is maintained on the Environment, Health & Safety (EHS) website. The U-M Biosafety Manual is reviewed and updated annually by the U-M Biosafety Officer.
The U-M Biosafety Manual requires the Lab Director or supervisory personnel to complete lab specific Biosafety binder documents available in Section 14 of the Biosafety Manual. to provide instruction and guidance regarding specific practices and procedures conducted in their lab.
The University of Michigan (U-M) is committed to providing a safe and healthy learning environment for all students in teaching laboratories. Teaching laboratory instructors must be aware of the associated risks in using biological materials in the laboratory. The American Society for Microbiology (ASM) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have created guidelines for best practices in teaching labs designed to encourage awareness of the risks, promote uniformity in teaching practices, and protect the health of students. The guidelines adopted by U-M and described in the Teaching Laboratory Guidelines document outline best practices to minimize the risks to students and the community.
9.3 Blood Borne Pathogens (BBP) and Exposure Control Plan (ECP) #
The U-M Exposure Control Plan (ECP) has been developed and implemented to meet the letter and intent of Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (MIOSHA) Blood Borne Infectious Diseases Standard, codified as R325.70001 through R 325.700016. Compliance with the Blood Borne Infectious Disease Standard will reduce occupational exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and other blood borne pathogens.
The following principles must be applied when employees are potentially exposed to blood borne pathogens; Minimize all exposures to blood borne pathogens; Institute as many engineering and work practice controls as possible to eliminate or minimize employee exposure to blood borne pathogens; Routinely employ universal precautions when exposure to blood or potentially infectious materials is anticipated.
The objectives of the U-M Exposure Control Plan are to: Provide information on procedures and regulations regarding blood borne pathogens; Protect employees from health hazards associated with blood borne pathogens; Provide information on appropriate treatment and counseling to employees exposed to blood borne pathogens.
The University of Michigan is an employer with various groups of employees who have a reasonably anticipated risk of exposure to human blood and other potentially infectious materials when performing their required job duties. As such, U-M must have an exposure control plan in accordance with MIOSHA’s Blood Borne Infectious Diseases standard. This plan is an administrative document that outlines how this occupational exposure risk will be controlled through the use of administrative controls, engineering controls, work practice controls, and personal protective equipment.
The ECP has been prepared by U-M Environment, Health & Safety (EHS) in order to outline the institutional exposure control policies and procedures that will be followed by all affected U-M departments. The scope of this plan is the Ann Arbor campus and those areas outside of Ann Arbor that are affiliated with Ann Arbor departments. U-M Hospital is covered by its own ECP.
Due to the diversity of job tasks with associated blood borne pathogens risk, it must be recognized that information related to task-specific and site-specific procedures may need to be prepared and maintained at the local level along with this institutional exposure control plan in order to fully address regulatory requirements. The EHS Document Binder will be used to store site-specific compliance information and records.
9.4 Laser Safety #
All University of Michigan (U-M) personnel who actively use Class 3B or Class 4 lasers in labs and other non-clinical University of Michigan facilities whether purchased, borrowed, “homebuilt,” or brought in for use by others, must comply with the requirements of the Laser Safety Program and complete all required training. The Laser Safety Program practices, policies, and procedures, including an escalation policy, are consistent with the EHS and Office of Research Ethic & Compliance Academic Laboratory and Research Safety Policy, SPG 605.01 Safety, Health, and Environment Policy, and the ANSI Z136.1- Appendix A (Laser Safety Programs). All personnel who actively use Class 3B and Class 4 lasers must adhere to the roles and responsibilities listed in the Laser Safety Program. The Laser Safety Program is derived from government regulations and the EHS and Office of Research Ethic & Compliance Academic Laboratory and Research Safety Policy. It provides guidance for safe handling of Class 3B and Class 4 lasers and a template for standard operating procedures (SOPs) that lab directors and laser safety supervisors can customize, then implement in their department. These SOPs and training records should be maintained in the Blue Binder.
Related Laser Safety Program Documents
- Laser Safety Program Standard Operating Procedure Template
- Request to Purchase a Class 3B or Class 4 Laser
- Laser Disposal Procedures
9.5 Animal Handler Occupational Health & Safety #
The Animal Handler Occupational Health & Safety Program applies to all faculty, staff, students, and other affiliates who have direct contact with animals; direct contact with non-sanitized animal caging or enclosures; direct contact with non-fixed or non-sterilized animal tissues, fluids, or wastes; who provide service support to animal equipment, devices, or facilities; or provide compliance review services. The species of animals and associated hazards that will be encountered in the workplace determine what type of health assessment and safety training each employee will receive. This program covers information from hazard identification to risk assessment to control of operations to the occupational medicine program for monitoring personnel.
Employees who care for and use animals in research face several occupational health and safety risks, including the possibility of allergic reactions, animal related injuries such as bites or kicks, zoonoses (diseases that spread from animals to humans), and exposure to hazardous materials. The University of Michigan is committed to compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and standards concerning occupational exposure to research activities. Requirements for an occupational health and safety program for personnel working with laboratory animals are outlined in various federal publications. A description of this occupational health program must be included in the Assurance of Compliance that is required by the National Institutes of Health Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare. Triennial inspections are conducted by Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) International to assure compliance with applicable occupational health and safety standards.
Under procedures outlined in the publication Occupational Health and Safety in the Care and Use of Research Animals, the occupational health and safety program components should include: hazard identification and risk assessment; personnel training; personal hygiene; facilities, procedures, and monitoring; personal protection; and medical evaluation and preventive medicine.
The goal of this Program is to establish the responsibilities and methods to identify the hazards associated with the care and use of animals, assess the risk(s) associated with those hazards, and eliminate or manage those risks. The overall management of the animal care and use program on the University of Michigan campus is the responsibility of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). Fulfillment of the occupational health and safety administrative requirements are the responsibility of EHS. The responsibility for operating research facilities and handling animals in a safe manner is the responsibility of every individual in the program.
9.6 Diving Operations #
The University of Michigan (U-M) Standards for Scientific Diving Operations program monitors the health and safety of divers operating under U-M sanctioned programs or research to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations. The U-M Scientific Diving program is managed by the Environment, Health & Safety (EHS) Diving Safety Coordinator who:
- Authorizes individuals wanting to dive in conjunction with employment, research, or educational activities at U-M
- Reviews health and safety aspects of research projects and instructional activities which involve skin, scuba, or surface-supplied diving
- Consults with divers and their supervisors about personnel selection and training
- Evaluates work sites and identifies job-related hazards
- Reviews equipment requirements, diving protocol, and operational safety
- Evaluates the condition of the applicant’s diving equipment or U-M owned diving equipment to be used and specifies technical inspection and maintenance requirements by a qualified technician
- Informs divers of the potential risk of working underwater and what to do to protect themselves
The University of Michigan (U-M) Standards for Scientific Diving Operations program and supporting documents are available on the U-M EHS website.
